“All Five Guys Hunt” | Calgary Flames

When it comes to the blueliner nicknamed “Matheny Mac” after scoring his first career hat trick in Saturday afternoon's 5-2 win over the New York Islanders, you can count on it.

Weigar now leads all defensemen with 15 goals – two for Thomas Harley, Rasmus Dahlin and Cale Makar.

“One thing that stands out, if you look at his numbers: He's shooting the puck more,” Huska said, citing Vigar's increase from 1.96 a game last year to 2.48 this season. “Because he's going against Ras (Andersson), he's going to have more opportunities to shoot because Ras is feeding him. Lot. So he's not afraid to shoot the puck, which is a good thing.

“And he has a sneaky shot, where it's not the hardest shot, but he has a way of taking it away quickly and making it difficult for goalies to read.”

Even his first goal on Saturday, a seemingly innocuous strike, falls into that category.

For some reason, it didn't come off his face very cleanly, wobbled on the way and maybe even dropped a few inches as it approached the blocker of Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov. Why?

Wigar is one of a growing number of defenders using more of a curve in their sticks instead of the old 'burger swimmers' of the paddle type, which were mostly utilitarian but did little to offend the imagination.

Currently, their signals look like a striker.

Now, of course, there are limitations.

It's not like the blueliner is rocking the full banana curve that's out of bounds on the spec chart, but a little extra English is working wonders right now.

“I've had it since I turned pro,” Vigar said of his right-hand pattern. “It's helped me a few times, I think. Sometimes it's a little hook that can help change up my baking and baking.

“Hey, it's done really well this year, so I love it.”

Vigar has been asked a lot this year about what led to his attack. Playing on the right side and focusing on getting the puck on the net was obviously a real boon.

But on Monday, he added the added perspective that the system Huska uses allows defenders to be more involved in the attack.

As an offensive lineman growing up, that was music to his ears.

“The Husks obviously had different messages for D this year,” Vigar said. “I'm grateful that he wants us to step up and contribute. But at the same time, as we've been saying all year, doing it at the right time and knowing when to stand up when you're in a rush … it's our responsibility to get it right and do it.

“Within the zone?”

“There's no secret to it – I just have to keep shooting. Another tough test with (Igor) Shesterkin tonight, but hopefully I can keep going.”

And what a good castle to do it The most famous arena in the world, Where were the Flames and Rangers in Game of the Year a season ago?

“It was good,” laughed Vigar, who at one point got into a row with Rangers forward Will Kewell. “Everything happened in that game. Objectives. Hits. Drama.

“They've still got a physical D, some big hitters … I've seen a couple of guys over 230 (pounds), so it's going to be another tough game.

“Our team has never shied away from any of that. If that's the case, then we'll include all five guys. This is a hockey game. If there's a fight or some rough stuff, it's necessary and we'll all be together.”